Folding step-ladder.



J. DYBECK. FOLDING STEP LADDER. APPLIOATION FILED APlLs, 1913.

BVM

coLUMBu` PLANOGRAPH Co.. WASHINGTON. D. c.

III

'STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEEI-I DYBECK, OF 'SAULT STE. MARIE, MICHIGAN.

FOLDING STEP-LADDER.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOSEPH DYBEGK, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Sault Ste. Marie, in the county of Chippewa and State of Michigan, have invented a new and Improved Folding Step-Ladder, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The invention relates to that class of ladders in which a frame, usually in the form of a stand, movably supports a step section, which may be moved into and out of the stand. In the present invention the step section is pivotally suspended by a hanger at the top7 the hanger constituting a plate spring, and a link connects the step section with the stand or frame below the hanger, the arrangement being such that in the swinging of the ladder to an inner position within the stand, the hanger is placed under tension so as to force the ladder downwardly and by its engagement therewith hold it securely within the stand.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this speciiication, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a ladder embodying my invention, with the step sect-ion in the outer or unfolded position; Fig. 2 is a sectional side elevation with the step section in the outer position; Fig. 3 is a similar view with the step section partially moved into the inner position, and indicating the flexure of the plate-spring hanger; and Fig. 4 is a similar view with the step section in the inner position.

In constructing a ladder in accordance with my invention, the frame or stand is generally of rectangular form, comprising front and back frames 10, 11 and a top table 12. Side bars 13 connect the front and back frames, and if desired, the back frame may be provided with a series of rungs 14, to brace it, and the front frame with a rung 15 near the lower end.

The step section 16 is suspended by hangers 17, which are in the form of plate springs which are pivotally connected as at 18, with the supporting frame, as by brackets 19, and pivotally connected with the step section as at 20, preferably by means of straps 21 secured to the rear edges of the side members of the step section so that the hangers will be engaged by the top step of Specification of Letters Patent. Patentgd 13,13 24:, 19ML Application led April 3, 1913.

Serial No. 758,567.

the section when lthe said section is folded within the stand In addition to the hangers 17 side links 22 are provided, and pivotally connected as at 23, 24, with the frame and stepsection respectively. The links 22 are so proportioned as to length with respect to the length of the hangers 17 and are so connected to the step section and the frame or stand, that the step section can swing into' the frame or stand as shown in Fig. 4. A stop to limit the inward movement'of the step section is provided and may consist of a rung 25 extending between the side bars 13.

Vith the described construction, in swinging the ladder from the outer position shown in Fig. 2 to the inner position shown in Fig. 4,'the hangers 17 engage the top step of the step section and are slightly flexed or bowed, putting them under tension, as shown in Fig, 3, the flexing or bowing of the hangers being shown exaggerated in this view. As soon as the section moves inward sutiicient for the links 22 to swing past their centers 23 the reaction of the spring hangers 17 by their engagement with the top step of the step section force the section downwardly into engagement with the stop 25, and as the said hangers remain in contact with the section after it reaches the position shown in Fig. 4, the section will be securely held within the stand, so that the stand may be moved about and used as such, without the ladder accidentally swinging to the outer position.

Having thus described my invention, I

claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

V1. A step ladder, comprising a frame and a step section movable to an inner and outer position relatively to the frame, a platespring hanger suspending the step section from the frame and pivotally connected with the frame and step section respectively, said hanger engaging the top step of the step sectionwhen said section is in its innermost position and a link also pivotally connected with the frame and step section.

2. A step ladder comprising a stand, a step section, hangers in the form of plate springs pivoted to the underside of the top portion of the stand and to the rear face of the side members of the step section, side links connecting the sides of the step section with the frame, and a stop within the frame to limit the inward movement of the step section, the step section in swinging from the outer to the inner position engaging In testimony whereof I have signed my with its top step the spring hangers, putting name to this specification in the presence of the said hangers under tension and remaintwo subscribing Witnesses.

ing in engagement therewith after the sec- JOSEPH DYBECK. tion has reached its innermost position to Witnesses:

force the said section downwardly and hold E. M. STENABAUGH,

it seenrely Within the stand. CATHERINE MCGIRR.

`Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents eacli, by addressing' the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

